As centuries go by, ideological beliefs should undoubtedly evolve in order to keep faith alive for its followers. From a humanitarian standpoint, we can applaud the Anglican Church for championing the reforms that have led up to the Vatican’s decree. We can also give credit to the Catholic Church for being more realistic about the issue of celibacy for its clergy. Yet there is an eerie coincidence in the Vatican’s decision to adopt one of the major changes made by the Protestant Reformation by forgoing the requirement of priestly celibacy. But should we be surprised by the Vatican’s concession?
While the Catholic Church considers itself the center of Christian tradition, particularly in the West, it has been able to penetrate communities worldwide with the aid of a certain flexibility. Many Latin American Catholics, for instance, often incorporate festive elements reminiscent of pagan practices in their worship. Their lively and colorful faith seems to differ from the more somber rituals of the Europeans. The Anglican Church, of course, reaches several countries as well, and its ability to thrive among different constituencies has been dictated by the same ideal of accommodation. Nevertheless, localized accommodation is rather tacit; the Vatican’s centralized decree, then, is a more significant, more official concession that will be institutionalized from the top.
[blockquote] From a humanitarian standpoint, we can applaud the Anglican Church for championing… reforms…[/blockquote]
So, instead of characterizing abandonment of elements of catholic faith as mere changes in practice (see Maggi Dawn posting), BC Heights squeaks with editorial joy in describing it as humanitarian reform. No need to pay any more attention to this author.
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